They will receive a monthly newsletter, exciting offers from sponsors and partners of the event and the chance to win amazing prizes and enter competitions.

Coun Val Tyler, the council’s cabinet member for arts, leisure and culture, said: “The VIP Club is a great way for our residents and visitors to find out about all things Tall Ships.

“We have loads of amazing things planned for four days of family fun in Blyth and joining the VIP Club is a great way of making sure you don’t miss the boat.

“The event will showcase what a fabulous place Northumberland is to visit.”

Tall ships include topsail schooners, brigantines, brigs and barques and are distinctive because of their sails.

Around 40 ships are expected to come to Blyth, which will be decades old and up to 40m long.

The Tall Ship Maybe, which will be taking part in the Regatta, has already docked at Blyth Port.

Visitors will be able to see the vessel until Saturday, April 2.

Port of Blyth chief executive Martin Lawlor said: “I think the VIP Club is a great idea and we are encouraging all of our suppliers and customers to sign up.

“By becoming a member of the VIP Club, you will gain access to exclusive event updates and you could win a fantastic ‘day of a lifetime’ prize at the Tall Ships Regatta.”

School children and community groups are also being encouraged to get involved in the maritime celebration.

A new digital resource pack filled with innovative activities inspired by the Tall Ships is available online.

It aims to help schools teach pupils their knots, port and starboard, and encourage them to design their own ship’s flag.

Headteacher Anne-Marie Armstrong with Year 2 pupils at Newsham Primary School

Newsham Primary School headteacher Anne-Marie Armstrong said: “Everyone involved in the life of our school is thrilled that the North Sea Tall Ships Regatta is taking place in Blyth.

“Our school is designed around a nautical theme and so we are particularly excited about this event, which is so closely aligned to our school’s identity.

“I am delighted with the publication of the Tall Ships Education Pack, which will help to introduce the Regatta to the children.

“It enrich the curriculum by bringing Blyth’s history and sea port connections to life through enjoyable, purposeful and highly relevant activities.”

The first Tall Ships Race in 1956 was a race of 20 of the world’s remaining large sailing ships from Torbay, UK to Lisbon.

The event was meant to be a last farewell to the era of the great sailing ships.

However, public interest was so intense the Sail Training International Race Committee formed a founding organisation and it has since organised Tall Ships Races and Regattas annually around the world.

The first North Sea Regatta was held in 2010, racing from Hartlepool to Ijmuiden in the Netherlands.

The Tall Ships event last came to the Newcastle and Gateshead Quaysides in 2005 and it generated £50m to the local economy.